Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Tuesday 15th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Dr Poulter]

I reassure hon. Members that, unlike any Member on the Opposition Front Bench, I still work in the NHS every week and I ensure that I see what happens on the ground. That cannot be said of any Front-Bench Opposition Member. The coalition has Ministers who are in touch with what is happening in the NHS on the ground. On A and E waits, we are trusting clinicians to exercise their judgment, which is why we now have a 95% target. We are ensuring—and the statistics show—that we are meeting that target on an annual basis. Patients are being treated in a timely manner. Furthermore, we have put in £330 million to deal with winter pressures. It is wrong of the right hon. Gentleman to try and mislead the House in this way—[Hon. Members: “Oh!”]—and use figures from a snapshot in time, rather than in a generality, which would indicate—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Sorry, the Minister needs to withdraw the suggestion that anybody tried to mislead the House. That simply needs to be withdrawn; that is all.

[Dr Poulter]

Indeed. I do withdraw that comment, Mr Speaker, and I apologise for saying that there was any deliberate attempt to mislead the House at all. I was simply pointing out the fact that the right hon. Gentleman is highlighting a snapshot in time—

[Mr Speaker]

No, no. Order. I must say to the Minister that when a retraction is required, that is what is required and that is all that is required. We move on.

[Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con)]

3. What representations he has received from clinicians in Yorkshire and the Humber on the decision to close the children’s heart surgery unit at Leeds children’s hospital.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Hunt]

I do want this to be a transparent process and we will follow all the appropriate guidelines in that respect.

[Mr Speaker]

I must say to the House that if we are to get through the questions we need shorter questions and shorter answers from now on.

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

4. What steps he is taking to support the recruitment and training of midwives.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. My apologies to colleagues whom I could not accommodate but, as usual with Health questions, demand massively outstrips supply.